The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the State Security Service to investigate an alleged leaked video said to be connected with the trial of six defendants accused of involvement in an alleged plot to topple President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik gave the order on Tuesday after prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, told the court that a video recording of one of the defendants’ statements had appeared on social media, contrary to an earlier order of the court.
Oyedepo, who is the Director of Public Prosecutions, said he saw the video on the page of social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan.
He described the development as disturbing and a matter of national security.
“We tendered the video recording and served it on the defence. I know I served my colleagues,” Oyedepo said.
He told the court that the alleged leaked video had attracted more than 6,000 views online and argued that the development was prejudicial to the proceedings.
“What I saw yesterday is quite disturbing. I urge your lordship to investigate this video and confirm whether it is the same video before the court and whether it contravenes your lordship’s order,” he said.
Oyedepo also informed the court that VeryDarkMan was present in court, possibly to explain how he obtained the video.
However, the court did not formally acknowledge the influencer’s presence before making its order.
Responding to the prosecution’s claim, defence lawyers denied knowledge of how the video allegedly got to social media.
Counsel to the first defendant, Muhammed Ndayako, SAN, said the development was coming at a sensitive stage when the defence was moving bail applications.
“Our worry is that this is coming at the stage when we are trying to move our bail application. I am not even a social media person. I am not opposed to an investigation,” he said.
Some defence lawyers, including counsel to the fourth defendant, C.D. Okafor, urged the court to extend the investigation to members of the media covering the proceedings.
Counsel to the fifth defendant, M.A. Ibrahim, did not oppose the investigation but expressed doubt about its likely outcome.
Counsel to the sixth defendant, Sanusi Musa, SAN, objected to the request, arguing that there was no evidence before the court identifying who leaked the video.
“I am surprised that the DPP said the court should investigate this matter. Secondly, who are the suspects? The video might have been leaked from the court, it might be me, it might even be the DPP or from the Ministry of Justice,” he said.
He further argued that if the prosecution wanted the court to act, a formal application should be filed.
“Whatever the DPP said here cannot be acted upon without evidence. If he wants that, he should file an application. The EFCC also has a media department.
“My lord, while I thank God that I am not the one, I object to the suggestion that the matter be investigated,” he added.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik affirmed the court’s power to protect witnesses and preserve the integrity of proceedings.